Today’s games
East Regional
At Raleigh, N.C.
No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s, 5:10 p.m. This should be one-sided from the tipoff. It’s worth watching to see if North Carolina guard Wayne Ellington is on from 3-point range.
No. 8 Indiana vs. No. 9 Arkansas, 7:40 p.m. IU has one of the nation’s best inside-outside duos in D.J. White and Eric Gordon, and the Hogs likely can’t match up.
At Birmingham, Ala.
No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 American, 10:15 a.m. The Vols are at their best when they’re forcing the tempo and creating turnovers, and American has more turnovers than assists this season.
No. 7 Butler vs. No. 10 So, Alabama, 12:45 p.m. Butler is a well-coached, fundamentally sound team that does not make mistakes. South Alabama is an athletic group that can light it up from 3-point range.
No. 6 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 Saint Joseph’s, 5:10 p.m. The upset hopes of St. Joe’s depend on perimeter shooting. OU, on the other hand, will look to pound it inside.
No. 3 Louisville vs. No. 14 Boise State, 7:40 p.m. Louisville is a sleeper Final Four team for some. Boise State gets most of its points from big men.
South Regional
At North Little Rock, Ark.
No. 7 Miami vs. No. 10 Saint Mary’s, 10:30 a.m. Saint Mary’s has a legit frontcourt star in Diamon Simpson. Miami needs to be hot from the perimeter because its inside guys aren’t that good defensively.
No. 2 Texas vs. No. 15 Austin Peay, 1 p.m. Texas is a No. 2 seed because of its backcourt, but the Longhorns’ big guys could have a big day against a very small Austin Peay frontcourt.
No. 8 Mississippi State vs. No. 9 Oregon, 5:25 p.m. Mississippi State has one of the nation’s best all-around players in Jamont Gordon. Oregon, sometimes weak on defense, needs to get hot from long range.
No. 1 Memphis vs. No. 16 Texas-Arlington, 7:55 p.m. Arlington wins with defense, but the Mavs haven’t played a team like Memphis, which has too many athletes.
Midwest Regional
At Raleigh, N.C.
No. 7 Gonzaga vs. No. 10 Davidson, 10:25 a.m. This could be the best game of the first round. The Zags are solid defensively. Davidson has one of the nation’s best shooters in Stephen Curry.
No. 2 Georgetown vs. No. 15 Maryland- Baltimore County, 12:55 p.m. UMBC can shoot the 3-pointer. But the Hoyas are one of the nation’s best defensive teams.
At Tampa, Fla.
No. 4 Vanderbilt vs. No. 13 Siena, 5:20 p.m. Vandy has one of the nation’s top players in swingman Shan Foster. Siena has three big-time scorers in Kenny Hasbrouck, Edwin Ubiles and Alex Franklin.
No. 5 Clemson vs. No. 12 Villanova, 7:50 p.m. Villanova is the lowest-seeded at-large team in the field. Clemson has five guys averaging in double digits in scoring.
West Regional
At Tampa, Fla.
No. 5 Drake vs. No. 12 Western Kentucky, 10:30 a.m. Drake has been one of the nation’s biggest surprises, with good 3-point shooting and few turnovers. Western Kentucky will want to run.
No. 4 Connecticut vs. No. 13 San Diego, 1 p.m. San Diego’s chances for an upset depend on point guard Brandon Johnson. UConn should be led by center Hasheem Thabeet and forward Jeff Adrien.
Denver Post wire services
